Dover, NH – The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire turns 34 this Fall! We’re celebrating with a special birthday party and a chance to see the progress being made on the renovation of the Build It – Fly It exhibit. This central exhibit, which towers 30 feet above guests, will be completely transformed by the end of October to include new visuals, new hands-on activities, and more. Also debuting this Fall is the museum’s new Grown-up Play Dates. Each month the museum will open its doors after hours for a 21+ crowd for a bit of grownup fun without the kids!

To celebrate the re-opening of the Build It – Fly It exhibit, the Children’s Museum of NH and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire in Manchester have entered into a reciprocal agreement. Throughout the month of October, CMNH Clubhouse Members can visit the Aviation Museum for free, while Aviation Museum Members and their immediate family can visit the Children’s Museum for free. To learn more about the Aviation Museum visit www.nhahs.org.

Featured Program for October

Throwback Thursday: Grownup Play Dates!Night at the BooZeumThursday, October 19, 7-9pmWe know you’ve always wanted to visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire without the kids and this is your chance! The museum will throw open its doors for grownups 21+ for a night of BOOzy fun with their friends from 7th Settlement Brewery. This October you can do a spooky science experiment in the STEAM Lab, do a creepy craft in the Muse Studio, all while enjoying drinks so delicious – it’s scary! Be sure to wear your costume! Where else can you and your friends enjoy a cash bar, refreshments and a chance to leave an impression in a giant pin screen, or play a tune on a wall-to-wall Music Matrix? Big kids only (21+) and you must have a valid ID. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Thanks to our event sponsor Atlas-Heritage Title, LLC. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

Children’s Museum of NH Turns 34!Sunday, October 1, noon-5pmEnjoy cake, party games and make a festive birthday crown. The Museum is getting an extra special gift this year – the renovation of the Build It - Fly It exhibit. The four people-powered moving platforms that transport flying objects over thirty feet up conveyor belts before launching them into the sky will remain, however, the foam flying shapes will be restyled to offer a variety of body shapes, accessory wings, fins and tails providing opportunities to design, engineer, modify and test flying contraptions. The ongoing renovation will feature a visual makeover bringing the nature of flight to life, including a tree containing flying creatures, aircraft seemingly breaking through the wall, and a rocket ship blasting off, complete with afterburners glowing behind it. Rope lights will outline the launch bays and new signs will share information about the properties of flight and propose questions to encourage deeper engagement in the exhibit. The former book nook will be transformed into an airplane cockpit with an instrument panel for imaginative play. There will also be a pint-sized Flight Lab exhibit piece that will provide the youngest visitors with hands-on flight play using a Bernoulli blower and lightweight objects for testing. Come see the progress made on this renovation, which will be completed by the end of October, and try some flight-inspired challenges in the Studio and STEAM Lab. All activities are included with museum admission and free for members. To learn more visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership ProgramSunday, October 1, 10am-noonFamilies with children on the autism spectrum are invited to the museum for a free visit. Exploring Our Way provides opportunities to enjoy family time at the museum in a safe, understanding environment, allows parents to network with one another, and will help families discover new resources. Exploring Our Way guests are welcome to stay and play when the museum opens to the public at noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult and siblings are welcome. Exploring Our Way is generously supported by H.O.P.E. Behavioral Consulting, Kennebunk Savings Bank and Eversource. This program is free. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Wee Ones WednesdaysEvery Wednesday in October, 9:45am and 10:45amWee Ones Wednesdays is an interactive weekly drop-in program for children ages 2-4 and has been designed as PRE pre-school. Children and a parent or caregiver enjoy art, music, movement and conceptual learning with a new theme each week. Sessions are offered from 9:45-10:30am and 10:45-11:30am. The cost per adult/child pair is $7 for Museum members and $10 for Non-members. Additional children in a family are $5 each for Members and $8 each for Non-members. We also offer a punch card option for Members who attend regularly: a 5-class punch card is $30 or 2 cards for $55. Space is limited. First-come, first-served. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

First Friends Playgroup with StorytimeEvery Wednesday in October, 9:30-10:30amThe First Friends Playgroup for children ages 6 months to two years is a drop-in opportunity for parents and babies/toddlers to play together in the Early Learning Landscape area. Join Early Childhood and Literacy Coordinator Meredith Lamothe, MLIS, for Playgroup and Baby "Lap Sit" Storytime at 9:45am. Learn important early literacy skills to practice with little ones and enjoy some rhymes, puppets, songs and stories. This program is free for museum members and regular admission applies for non-members: $10 for adults and children, $9 for seniors and no charge for babies under 12 months old. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

First Friday $3 after 3pmFriday, October 6, 3-7pmGuests who visit anytime after 3pm until 7pm on the first Friday of the month during the school year can enjoy the museum for only $3 per person! The $3 admission represents a 70% savings over regular admission, and offers families a fun opportunity for creative play before bedtime. Library passes and other discounts do not apply during this event. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more info.

Gallery 6 Opening Reception: Fresh Paint and PixelsFriday, October 6, 5:30-7pmOn view September 16 through November 26, 2017, Gallery 6 will feature art by emerging local artists including Ryan Costa, Shawna Gibbs, Nora Happny, Julia Kirchmer, Emiliano Martinez, Debbie Mueller, Kersey Neal, Kali Rocheleau, and Paul Timmons among others. The opening reception takes place during the museum’s First Friday: $3 After 3pm program, where anyone can come enjoy the museum’s exhibits from 3-7pm on the First Friday of any month for only $3. There is no fee to view the art exhibition or enjoy the opening reception. This opening also corresponds to the monthly Dover Art Walk taking place at various galleries throughout downtown Dover. The Gallery is open anytime the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is open and is sponsored by the NH State Council on the Arts, the Fuller Foundation and Georgia-Pacific. To learn more, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Apple Harvest Day Crafty CornerSaturday, October 7, 10am-4pmJoin the Children’s Museum of NH outside the museum as we celebrate Apple Harvest Day with some crafts and games. Stop by our table and create an apple pom-pom launcher, make an apple necklace, decorate a stained glass window and shake your sillies out with museum staff! All activities are provided by the Children’s Museum of NH and are free to the public. To learn more, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

SCIENCE CLASSES

Junior Science ClassMondays, November 6 through December 11, 1:30-2:15pm This fall, junior scientists, ages 3.5-5, will dive into the world of science! Learn scientific words, explore open-ended crafts, read stories and, of course, get dirty doing foamy, fizzy and bubbly experiments. MEMBER PERK: The museum exhibits are closed on Mondays, but smaller siblings and parents who are museum members will have access to the Primary Place exhibit to play while class is in session (45 minutes). Please note that the first floor exhibits will be closed during this time. These classes run for 6 weeks. Classes are $60 for Members and $70 for Non-members. Pre-registration is required. Please note that registration closes one week before classes begin. Call 603-742-2002 to register or visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

Junior Science ClassThursdays, November 2 through December 14, 10:15-11amThis fall, junior scientists, ages 3.5-5, will dive into the world of science! Learn scientific words, explore open-ended crafts, read stories and, of course, get dirty doing foamy, fizzy and bubbly experiments. These classes run for 6 weeks. No class on Thanksgiving. Classes are $60 for Members and $70 for Non-members. Pre-registration is required. Please note that registration closes one week before classes begin. Call 603-742-2002 to register or visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

Homeschool Science ClassTuesdays, November 7 through December 12, 10:15-11:15amThis Fall, homeschool students, ages 6-9, will learn about science through hands-on experimentation. These classes run for 6 weeks. Classes are $60 for Members and $70 for Non-members. Pre-registration is required. Please note that registration closes one week before classes begin. Call 603-742-2002 to register or visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

We All Belong: Art and Friendship Go Hand in HandWednesdays, October 11 - November 15, 4-5:30pmThis fun and interactive art program is for adults who are learning English as a second language, refugees, immigrants and their children, as well as Museum Member adults and children. Join us at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, a warm, inclusive community, to engage in meaningful, out-of-school arts experiences. Play, create, express yourself, share your ideas and form new friendships. The Museum’s art gallery curator and educator staff will lead participants in activities that everyone can do including painting, drawing, collage, and more. Pre-registration is appreciated and space is limited. Drop-ins welcome if space is available. Call the museum during regular business hours and ask for Bookings Manager Caitlynne: 603-742-2002. Participation in this program is FREE thanks to support from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and a private donor.

Alzheimer’s CaféThursday, October 19, 2-4pmPeople living with Alzheimer's disease, their family members and care partners are welcome to join us on the third Thursday of each month for Alzheimer’s Café, a supportive, non-clinical setting to chat, relax and socialize while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Reservations are not needed and there is no cost to attend, though donations are accepted. Visit www.childrens-museum.orgfor more information. Alzheimer’s Café is sponsored by Abbie Moseley Trust and LTC Partners.

Building Bee HotelsSaturday, October 21, 10am-noonThis program, a special collaboration between The Center for Wildlife and the museum’s STEAM Innovation Lab, will have children participate in building bee hotels to take home and put in their yards. The Center for Wildlife will have some animal ambassadors on hand and staff will discuss how important bees are to animals as well as to us, and how we can care for and steward the tiniest members of our community. Program is free with museum admission and no registration is necessary. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Not-So-Spooky SpectacularSaturday, October 28, 10am-5pmJoin us for a Halloween event that focuses on fun – not fright! We’ll be celebrating throughout the day with all kinds of special activities. Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume to explore our exhibits like our Cave Explorers Bat Cave, Dino Detective and Green Screen Adventures in Travel. Meet the museum’s very own Wacky Scientist and check out his fantastical experiments, visit our Fairy Circle to make fairy doors and friendly spiders, create take-home crafts, get your face painted in the Muse Studio, and more! Participate in our costume contest, and try out our trick-or-treat scavenger hunt to receive an extra special prize at the end of your visit! All activities are free with regular Museum admission and are FREE for Museum members. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

PizzaFest Auction FundraiserSunday, October 22 at 9am – Sunday, November 5 at 9pmWho doesn’t love pizza!? Tickets for this all-you-can-eat pizza-tasting extravaganza on Saturday, November 4, 5-7pm are on sale now and you can also bid on items in our online auction. Items for sale in the online auction fundraiser include restaurant gift certificates, tickets to local attractions, and so much more. Visit www.biddingforgood.com/CMNHPizzaFest to bid! There will be several packages and items raffled off during PizzaFest as well. Advance tickets to this year’s PizzaFest are $10 per adult and $7 for ages 3-10. At the door tickets are $12 per adult and $8 for ages 3-10. Children under the age of 3 are FREE. To learn more or to purchase tickets visit www.childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/pizzafest-auction or call 603-742-2002. PizzaFest is sponsored by D.F. Richard.

October in the Muse Studio: Flight!Enjoy high-flying fun and activities for all of your young aviators! Drop-in crafts, games, projects, experiments and challenges are scheduled throughout the day, perfect for all ages. Free with Museum admission. To learn more visit www.childrens-museum.org.

October in the STEAM Innovation Lab: Fall into STEAMThis month in the STEAM Lab, drop-in to celebrate Fall with hands-on activities. From fall leaf science to making pumpkin elevators, enjoy unique challenges and projects. These activities are free with museum admission. Check the online calendar for daily topics and times, www.childrens-museum.org.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, interactive exhibits for children from newborn to middle school. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the Silver LEED-certified museum specializes in creating memorable family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum also hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org